Inlet structure and assembly method

Abstract

In one embodiment, a fluid ejector assembly includes: an inlet structure having an opening therein through which fluid may enter the assembly, the inlet structure having a rim generally defining an outer perimeter of the inlet structure around the opening; a conduit through which fluid may pass from the opening in the inlet structure to an ejector structure; and a filter supported on the inlet structure and spanning the opening such that fluid passing through the opening in the inlet structure to the conduit passes through the filter, a peripheral edge of the filter surrounded by the rim of the inlet structure and the peripheral edge of the filter encapsulated by the inlet structure.

1. A fluid ejector assembly, comprising:
 an inlet structure having an opening therein through which fluid may enter the assembly, the inlet structure having a rim generally defining an outer perimeter of the inlet structure around the opening; 
 a conduit through which fluid may pass from the opening in the inlet structure to an ejector structure; and 
 a filter supported on the inlet structure and spanning the opening such that fluid passing through the opening in the inlet structure to the conduit passes through the filter, a peripheral edge of the filter surrounded by the rim of the inlet structure and the peripheral edge of the filter encapsulated by the inlet structure, wherein the rim integrally extends as a single unitary body along a side of the peripheral edge of the filter and over a top of the peripheral edge of the filter. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is staked to the inlet structure at or near the peripheral edge of the filter. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is staked to the inlet structure at or near the peripheral edge of the filter and the peripheral edge of the filter is fully encapsulated by the rim of the inlet structure such that there are no gaps or cavities in that part of the inlet structure encapsulating the peripheral edge of the filter. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a mesh and a material comprising the rim of the inlet structure impregnates the mesh along the peripheral edge of the filter. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the rim material comprises a flowable material filter impregnating the mesh along the edge of the filter. 
     
     
       6. A method of assembling an inlet structure for a fluid ejector assembly, the inlet structure including a tower having an opening therein through which fluid may enter the ejector assembly, the method comprising:
 placing a filter on the tower such that the filter covers the opening and a rim of the tower surrounds a peripheral edge of the filter; 
 staking the filter to the tower along or near the peripheral edge of the filter; and then 
 encapsulating the peripheral edge of the filter in the rim of the tower, wherein the encapsulating comprises bending the rim of the tower around the peripheral edge of filter such that the tower integrally extends as a single unitary body from below, along sides of, and over a top of the peripheral edge of the filter. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein staking and bending are performed in the same operation. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein staking and bending are performed simultaneously in a single operation. 
     
     
       9. A method of assembling an inlet structure for an ink ejector assembly, the inlet structure including a tower comprising flowable material, the tower having an opening therein through which ink may enter the ejector assembly, the method comprising:
 covering the opening with a filter; and 
 encapsulating a peripheral edge of the filter in the flowable tower material, wherein the encapsulating comprises: 
 flowing a rim of the tower into the edge of the filter; and 
 heating the rim and pressing it over the edge of the filter. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising staking the filter to the tower. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein staking and encapsulating are performed in the separate operations. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein staking and encapsulating are performed simultaneously in a single operation. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein encapsulating a peripheral edge of the filter in the flowable tower material comprises simultaneously applying pressure to the peripheral edge of the filter and encapsulating the peripheral edge of the filter in the tower. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet structure has a ridge upon which the filter extends and wherein the ridge and the rim are integrally formed as a single unitary body such that the inlet structure integrally extends as a single unitary body from below, along a side of and over a top of the peripheral edge of the filter. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a seal around and about an exterior of the inlet structure outside and below the rim; and 
 an ink container above the rim, the ink container bearing against the seal. 
 
     
     
       16. The assembly of  claim 15  further comprising a barb around the rim and retaining the seal. 
     
     
       17. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet structure comprises a plurality of protrusions projecting above a mouth of the opening about the opening, the protrusions supporting a central portion of the filter. 
     
     
       18. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rim of the inlet structure bends around the peripheral edge of the filter over the peripheral edge of the filter. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 6  further comprising supporting a central portion of the filter with a plurality of protrusions projecting above a mouth of the opening. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 positioning a seal around and about an exterior of the inlet structure outside and below the rim; and 
 positioning an ink container above the rim, the ink container bearing against the seal.